Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-1592863/


Last year, Mercedes-Benz showed off a few European-spec B-Class models with alternative powertrains, particularly the B-Class Electric Drive with a range extending engine and the purely electric B-Class Electric Drive. It is the latter that we got a ride in during a recent trip to Germany and the one that is coming to the US next year – before it goes to Europe – to help crack open the market for premium compact electric cars.

Introduced at the New York Auto Show in 2013, the B-Class Electric Drive will be the first battery electric car from Mercedes. If you like the idea of the B-Class, then this one has a lot going for it, but perhaps the larger question is: who's going to go for it?

Driving Notes

• The first-generation A- and B-Class models were designed with sandwich floors that could accept alternative powertrains, but it was way back in 1997 that the first A-Class arrived and it's taken this long to get to the point where it could all come together properly. The current, third-generation A- and B-Class platform comes in low-floor and high-floor variants, and the B-Class Electric Drive takes advantage of the high-floor option and so-called "Energy Space" it allows. There's a step in the cabin floor beneath the driver's seat that runs all the way to the rear of the car to create a "semi-sandwich floor," with the the 28-kWh lithium-ion battery slotted into the gap between the cabin floor and the car floor. The gas-powered B-Class, though, does not contain the Energy Space.
• The Energy Space allows the B-Class Electric Drive to remain virtually unchanged from its gas-powered sibling, which is one of the selling points Mercedes-Benz will stress with the car. Nothing changes for the front passengers, but a tiny bit of room is sacrificed in the rear quarters: the floor behind the front seats is raised by 3.03 inches and the rear seats by 1.14 inches. The exceptionally-tall-inside B-Class can spare it, our experience being plenty of headroom in the rear quarters and plenty of trunk volume that was, naturally, free of the clunky battery intrusions one sometimes finds in such vehicles. Mercedes also stresses the vehicle's passenger room, the sentence "it's a true five-seater" never far away whenever the car was being discussed.
• It weighs 300 kilograms more than the standard B-Class, but its powertrain comes from a company that's proven it knows how to move weight: the battery, electric motor and power electrics are straight from Tesla. Tesla builds them in California then sends them to the B-Class factory in Rastatt, Germany where the Electric Drive is built on the same line as the standard B-Classes.
• The biggest difference is that Mercedes uses software to dial down the power of the Tesla unit, from the 416 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque of the Model S Performance to 174 hp (up from the 134 hp quoted at the New York Auto Show and four more than the BMW i3) and 228 lb-ft. Other small changes are the J1772 connector on the B-Class instead of the Tesla Supercharger connecter; a European charger will come for the model aimed at The Continent. The 10-kW charger at 430 amps is the same as the Tesla.
• Even with power numbers that put the Electric Drive right about even with the 168 hp and 221 lb-ft of the diesel-powered B220 CDI and a weight penalty of 660 pounds over a base car, the instant torque of the Electric Drive means wheelspin is always on the menu and has to be tamped with software. The 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint takes 7.9 seconds, 0.4 faster than the B220 CDI, and top speed is limited to 100 miles per hour. Mercedes estimates a range of "around 115 miles," but behind that they say they're going for a number in the triple digits, so the certified number could be lower. To get a charge good for 60 miles takes two hours on a 240-volt, Level 2 charger.
• Other changes between it and the regular B-Class are that it sits about an inch higher because of slightly larger tires and taller springs, and it sports wheel arch trim. Inside, the right-side gauge in the dash cluster is a Power Meter that provides feedback on energy usage. On top of the US-regulation lights, our models will come standard with a pedestrian warning sound at low speeds while in Europe that will be an option.
• The are two major options, the first being the availability of three-mode energy regeneration toggled through using the shift paddles behind the wheel. The modes are free-coasting D+, medium regen D, and pretty strong regen D-. It's essentially the same as on the SLS AMG Electric Drive but with three modes instead of four. If a buyer doesn't opt for the feature, the D setting is the default.
• The second major option is ordering a battery that can be "up-charged" to accept 15 percent more energy in case a driver needs more range. The driver turns on the option before plugging in the car, and it will allow driving "beyond 200 kilometers just in case." The feature is only meant to be used sparingly, but we were told that the car won't monitor how often it's used – the hope is that "people will use it when needed" and won't abuse the battery. Beyond that the B-Class Electric Drive will come with the same suite of convenience features offered with the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, allowing owners to check on the status of the car and pre-condition the cabin via an app.
• On our brief ride around Stuttgart, the electric B-Class proved that it has all the attributes of the standard B-Class – roomy, even-tempered, peppy – and it's silent. Which is exactly what it's supposed to be, so there aren't any surprises and really no reason not to buy one when it arrives...
• Except for what it's going to cost. No one at Mercedes would say anything about price except that it will be "premium and competitive." Those two descriptors really add up to just one competitor (for now): the $41,350 BMW i3. The i3 and the B-Class Electric Drive represent two takes on electric driving, the first a re-envisioning of electric transport, the second those who want to stick with everyday car amenities – and "a true five-seater" – but don't want the emissions. Yet 41 grand before options is a tough number – it's high enough that the buyer can afford something 'nice,' but we're not talking Model S levels of disposable income; it's not so high to select for consumers looking for vanity projects, and you can get a lot of very good first cars or frugal second cars for a lot less, both of which can travel further than 118 miles without stopping.
• That quandary (and the regulatory directives that are compelling automakers to develop these cars in the first place) would explain the humble sales expectations for both the B-Class Electric Drive and the i3. Mercedes copped to wanting sales in the four digits in the US, while BMW will be happy to move 15,000 worldwide (the company recently said it already has orders for 10,000 of them). We'll find out who's ready to make such a deal next year when the B-Class Electric Drive goes on sale sometime around April. We wonder now if it isn't people with Tesla Model S money who want a city-car option and are willing to sacrifice all of the flash for around half of the price.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/25/2...lectric-drive/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

For when plebeian Focus Electrics and Leafs just won't cut it

Crazy that's it's detuned from the beastly P85+ package on the Tesla S.

Also I love the extra 4 hp against the i3. Gotta love pissing contests

RXSF

cute little city car. It needs to remain <40K after federal tax credit to make sense

I actually like the interior dash/nav integration better than the CLA

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Official Press

RXSF

Good price. with fed and cali tax credits, this makes it practically the same price as a CLA. I would rather have this

doge

In theory its a tune away from 400hp

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

There's truth behind this.. touché

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-2604812/


Mercedes-Benz has made reviewing the B-Class Electric Drive pretty darn easy. They included the grade the car deserves right in the name: A nice, solid B.

For an electric car in today's climate, that's actually pretty high praise. No, this car does not represent the crowning achievement of alternative-fuel engineering that we've been waiting for since Robert Davidson started tinkering with electric motors back in the mid-1800s. But it does further the case that electric cars don't have to be frumpy, stripped-down plastic cases on wheels. Tesla and BMW have helped to make tremendous strides in the public perception of EVs, employing striking design and athletic driving dynamics to make them cool, sexy and sporty. Mercedes-Benz, with the B-Class, has now added the weight of its three-pointed star to this emerging trend.

We recently took the B-Class Electric Drive for a spin around Silicon Valley – an appropriate location, as the German automaker collaborated with and took inspiration from numerous tech giants whose sprawling campuses adorn the landscape. While we weren't left with mouths agape after our time behind the wheel, we feel confident in saying that while the B-Class Electric Drive isn't for everyone, those looking to add a luxurious and versatile EV to their existing stable will be quite impressed with what it has to offer, despite a few noticeable flaws.


According to Mercedes-Benz, the B-Class Electric Drive is for people that are both looking for a second or third car for short commutes and errands, and employ a "California mindset." What's that, you ask? Apparently, it means you're eco-conscious, active, like to drive (or, more accurately, sit in traffic) and, logically, can afford more than one Benz. This, as you can imagine, is a somewhat small group of potential buyers.

The B-Class Electric Drive is almost identical to the conventionally powered B-Class, which you can find all over the roads in Europe. The car also shares 85 percent of its architecture with the CLA-Class and forthcoming GLA-Class. The big differentiation with this car is obviously the powertrain. Developed exclusively for this vehicle by Tesla Motors, the B-Class Electric Drive employs a California-built, 28-kWh lithium-ion battery that sends juice to a 177-horsepower electric motor. More on this in a bit.

Aesthetically, it doesn't get much more Euro than this. The B-Class Electric Drive mimics almost everything from the gas-powered variant's design, including the overall egg shape, big rear hatch, high roof and understated (by M-B standards, at least) grille. The only noticeable difference is that the Electric Drive sits about an inch higher off the ground, courtesy of slightly taller sidewall on the tires and taller springs. To those unfamiliar with Mercedes' offerings outside North America, the car could certainly invoke a double-take, as it looks absolutely nothing like the automaker's current line of sleek, planted sedans and coupes. It's more akin to a Honda Fit than a C-Class. That's not to say that the car is unattractive, of course. We rather like its bubbly look, especially because it places an emphasis on function, using the car's shape to minimize drag and also treat its occupants to loads of interior space. It's a bit bland, yes, but not ugly.


Mercedes got creative with some of the paint jobs on the B-Class Electric Drive. Our tester, for instance, was coated in a sharp electric blue, similar to Volvo's Polestar hue, with contrasting white accents on the headlights and grille. Other color combos are available, as well, such as a white body with blue grille and mirrors, and a silver body with chrome accents. We're not big fans of the wheels, which look like the plasticky rollers found on an old Power Wheels toy, but we were told that these aren't going to be the only options. The car we drove was still pre-production, and more attractive wheels are supposedly on the way.

Inside, the airy cabin is plush, roomy, clean and super quiet, with very little noise from wind, the road or the whine of the motor. The seats are comfortable and most of the materials feel premium and soft, though hard plastics are present on the center console. We love the bold circular chrome air vents that Mercedes has been putting in its vehicles, especially the three in a row found directly below the infotainment screen. The wood strip on the dash doesn't really go with the overall aesthetic of the interior. Though it is real wood, it appears synthetic at first glance and it clashes with the more metallic, modern character of the rest of the cabin. Wood often gives an interior a more luxurious, stately feel, but it seems out of place here. Most everything is ergonomically located and easy to find, with the exception of the infotainment's scroll wheel, which is placed too far back on the armrest for those that have longer arms. It forces some drivers to awkwardly emulate a T-Rex while trying to browse through the radio stations.

The B-Class comes with an insane amount of headroom, and legroom and shoulder room are quite good, too. The floor is raised slightly in the rear seats – about 1.14 inches – in order to accommodate for the battery underneath, but even your tallest friends should be comfortable if they were a bit too slow on the shotgun call. Since the battery makes its home underneath the vehicle, the trunk doesn't suffer its intrusions the way it does with other EVs. Cargo space is rated at 23.5 cubic feet, allowing for the transport of big-ticket items such as golf bags and large suitcases with ease.


The car includes the nice 5.8-inch touchscreen found in the CLA-Class (a seven-inch setup is optional). While the interface is easy to use, Mercedes could stand to make some updates to its appearance. The fonts and graphics are noticeably dated and they detract from the premium feel of the interior. The multimedia system houses the car's optional navigation system, internet access, radio controls and cell phone information. There's not really anything that is groundbreaking about the system, but it works, which is, sadly, high praise considering the overall state of infotainment these days. Like several other EVs out there, the B-Class comes with a companion app that can be accessed on a computer or smartphone to do things like set pre-entry climate control and see charging status, view the car's current remaining range and nearby charge points.

Safety features on the B-Class, both standard and optional, are quite extensive, and include collision prevention assist, blind spot assist, attention assist, lane keeping assist and driver knee and window airbags.

Since we know you've been waiting for it, here is the most important number concerning the B-Class Electric Drive: 85. That's the number of miles that Mercedes estimates the car can travel on a full charge. Until the EPA evaluates the B-Class, though, that number is simply an educated guess. For comparison, the car's most direct competitor, the BMW i3, has an official EPA-rated range of 81 miles. Unfortunately, this number is a far cry from the 115-mile range of the B-Class Electric Drive Concept that was released at the New York Auto Show last year.


The B-Class employs a number of technologies to maximize its range, some of which are always on, while others are driver-selectable. The most notable technology is, of course, the Tesla-made powertrain. The B-Class employs a 28-kWh lithium-ion battery, which sends electricity to an onboard electric motor. The system is quite similar to what one can find on the Model S, but it uses software here to significantly tone down the power figures. Instead of 416 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, the motor on the B-Class Electric Drive sends 177 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels.

Drivers recharge the battery via a J1772 connector (the same kind you'll find on the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, et al) instead of a Tesla Supercharger connector. Mercedes says that the battery can be fully charged in 3.5 hours on a Level 2 charger. A home charging system is not included in the base price of the car, but buyers are definitely going to want to opt for one, as you're looking at a 30-hour charge time if you plug into your home outlet. The battery is covered by an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty (defects, capacity, maintenance and roadside assistance) and is guaranteed to maintain at least 70 percent of its original capacity after that period of time.

B-Class buyers can also purchase a "Range Plus" system as an added option, which can add 14+ miles to the car's range by allowing the battery to charge 15 percent beyond its normal capacity. Basically, the system exists to give people an extra little cushion when they're planning on driving a bit outside of the car's normal confines. Owners can engage the system while charging the night before and then have a few more miles at their disposal. Of course, doing so comes at the cost of the battery's health and owners are advised to use the system sparingly. The car will not track how often one charges in this manner, and, thus, B-Class Electric Drive owners aren't at risk of voiding the warranty by using it.


The B-Class uses two different types of drive mode selection. The first uses conventionally named Eco and Sport programming, to simply change the throttle response and cause the car to consume its juice at two different rates during acceleration. Using Sport, according to Mercedes, results in about a ten-percent drop in the car's range. The second is the four-mode energy regeneration system, which is housed where one normally finds a set of paddle shifters. It's a bit confusing, so bear with us: There are four different regeneration settings, called "D+," "D," "Da" and "D-" (those of you familiar with the SLS AMG Electric Drive have seen this kind of thing before). Putting the car in "D+" by flicking the "shift up" paddle actually decreases the rate of regeneration by allowing the car to coast (the "+" is meant to refer to allowing the car to go faster, or something). Using "D-" begets the strongest amount of automatic regeneration, in which the car automatically brakes when the driver takes his or her foot off of the accelerator, resulting in a feeling akin to engine braking. "D" fits in between those two and "Da" uses a system similar to adaptive cruise control to regenerate based on changes in speed of a car out in front.

Driving the B-Class Electric Drive is an enjoyable experience, but we'd hesitate to call it sporty. With oodles of torque available at the touch of the accelerator, getting up to speed is a hoot and a half. Mercedes says the car can sprint from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds, but it certainly felt quicker than that. That's a pretty impressive feat, considering the car weighs more than 3,900 pounds. Heck, in Sport, you can squeal the tires more easily than in a Mustang GT. But handling leaves something to be desired. The car experiences noticeable body roll around corners, even at lower speeds, which didn't instill much confidence on some of the guardrail-less turns that snaked through the Santa Cruz Mountains. The steering is noticeably light and is a good deal less responsive than what we're used to seeing in German cars. The B-Class also has aggressive regenerative brakes, which come with an odd feel. There's some sharp initial bite upon first application of the pedal, then the brakes back off, grabbing much more lightly than you'd expect. To be fair, that's not something exclusive to this car – nearly every vehicle we've driven that has braking regen suffers from the same flaw.


But, of course, this car is not intended to be driven the way we Autoblog types like to drive. Rather, its tuning and on-board equipment are geared towards leisurely jaunts about town, or to and from work. And for that, it's perfect. The car's inoffensive handling and soft suspension are great for highway cruising. Its turning radius and small stature make parallel parking or navigating a crowded Trader Joe's parking lot a breeze. The muffled cabin coupled with the lack of any form of combustion makes any trip a small vacation to a silent sanctuary. The regenerative braking allows drivers to travel further, bringing owners closer to the freedom of a conventional gas-powered vehicle while sparing the air those harmful emissions.

The B-Class will go on sale this summer in the ten ZEV states, and then slowly start to expand to all fifty. Starting price for the car is $41,450 plus $925 for destination, which is not exactly cheap, but comes in well under a Model S ($69,900) and tax credits and incentives abound, depending on where you live.

Because of the higher starting sticker price (options, including the "Range Plus" system, aren't priced out yet) and the car's limited availability, it's tough to see the B-Class cracking five-digit sales numbers. Leasing will be an attractive option for many shoppers, especially because Mercedes says a lease can include a Level 2 home charger for an additional monthly fee (which they keep at the end). That may end up being a more attractive proposition than buying that charger outright.

The B-Class Electric Drive has its flaws, but there's no question in our mind that this is an above-average electric vehicle that can fill a need for a small niche of buyers. Bottom line is that for around-the-town driving and short commutes, it's everything we could ask it to "B." Cue the groaning.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/05/07/2...-drive-review/

whoster

Saw this little guy out and about today at lunch.

It's a cute little thing!

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Pretty typical MBZ-esque cabin. Owners familiar with the brand should find themselves right at home.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

interior looks foul.